Die mechanism for sizing and testing metal-wheel spiders



June 24, 1930. F. w. BURGER 1,765,756

DIE IECHANISI FOR SIZING AND TESTING IE'I'AL WHEEL SPIDERS Filed April 19,1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l I 5:! J2 f J? i 15 a;

v 1 26 1 56 J5 Z9 4 53 M I) I 1' w I J 11:

H y/ ll I] I v' 7 54 2.932 4/7 5! 45 ,52 3738 m 3% '19" g [a mfmf rirc? F. W. BURGER June 24, 1930.

DIE HECHANISI FOR SIZING AND TESTING METAL WHEEL SPIDERS 2 Sheets-Shae 2 Filed April 19, 1926 OT'TLE. 3"

4 [STATES PATENT rnnnniiiokjw. BtiReEit-or ivILEs, MICHlG-AN', .AssieNo TO CLARK EQUIPMENT ooivr-v V p I inethod of.making-the same, in which the 'wheel is built up from a cast metal spider,

Patented June v 24, 1930 IPANY, OEBUCHANAN BIICHIGAN, A CORPQRATION OF'MICHIGAN t niE i'viEonANIsr/i iron sizi we Ann npp1ieation" filed Ann 19,

The present invention "relates to die mechanism for sizingfiand testing metal wheel spiders. I lngco-pending applications, Serial Numbers"33,6'5'7 and 493l6lyfiled by myself and Edmund CI'Mogford, we have disclosed an improved construction of metallic wheel and constituting a hub and hollowspoke structu'reyaud a rolled metal rim which is secured to thespoke ends of thiscast metal p e f' v j The present invention has todo particularly "with the manufacture of the spider, and has as its "generalobje'ct to. provide an improved construction of. die "mechanism which will size and straighten the rough casting of the'spiderso that machine finish ing'will be entirelyeliminated or reduced tea-minimum, and whi'chwill also subject the "casting to T. certain'testing stresses in d1e segments.v

order to detectfiaws therein-. Oneof the particular'features of the'invention resides in thesizing die'which fin ishes the outer' ends of the spokes. This die comprises a plurality of die segments which have relative diverging movement after the completion of asizing Op6I2LtlOl1,' thereby to increase the effective diameter of the sizing die so as to. facilitate the stripping of the spider fromthe die. This construction also affords the ifurther advantage of providing adjustment for varying thesizingfld'i- I 'di'e'to'di erent sizes of spiders and to ad? ameter ofthe die so asreadily to adapt the just the diefor wear. I V I The testing of the wheel spider isjxperformed simultaneously with this sizing and straightening operation, this testing consisting in subje ctingtheentire spider to radial and lateral stresses, and the hub there-, of to lateral. compression stresses. It often happens that acafsting from its outward appearance appearsito be perfect, but actually contains flaws; such asshrink cracks,

hot-shorts, etc. The, present die mechanism subjects the v spider tomore intensive stresses than itjwouldreceive in, normal use and hence discloses any of these 'fiaws'which 'ment of my invention. I c r In the drawing, ac'companying thi's de rnsmilve METAL-WHEEL SPIDERS 192a Serial a).- 102,883.,

might impair the life and of the y it casting. 1 V

The other features oftheinvention pertaining to the yieldable mounting of the die. segments, the knock-out or stripping'mechanism, etc., will be apparent from the following description of. the preferred embodi scription the present die mechanism, the 'movable' sizing die being shown. in its elevated posi-.

tion abovethe stationary die block which supports the wheel spider; i

Fig; 2 is a bottom plan View of the mov-" pressed retaining ring-being broken away Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the stationary die block, the wheel spider being indicated in dotted lines on this die block; and 1 I Fig. 4 is a perspectiveview' of one of the I The wheelspider 6 is illustrated indotted lines in Figs. 1 and 3, and consists of a hub; and spoke structure castas a unit. Thehub 7 is hollow; and as fully described in the able sizing die, a portion ofthe spring co-pen'din'g applications above mentioned,

the? inner wall of this hub has a'peripheral, groove: therein in order to give .this'hub'a certain degree of lateral compressibility." The spokes 8 are also hollow.andformed.0n

the: outer ends of these spokes-are pads 9 Which receiveand support the outer wheel rim. As thespider comes from thezfoundry, the outer surfaces of these pads 9 will generally rvary somewhat in shape' and 'di-" ameter, andit is one of the objects ofthe' present: die mechanismto size and finish' the V 7 outer surfaces of these pads so tllittithyzvvlllf be of the proper" curvature and diameter for engaging within the wheel rim. Furthermore, the upper and lower sides of the hub/7 will notalways be parallel in these rough castings and the thicknessiof th'is hub' may slightly exceed the desire'dfthickness for the hub. It is a further object :of the present die mechanism to pressb'othz sides of thishub 7 intoparaIlelism and to com'. press, the hub to 'its proper thlQkneS S. l:he;:

-L-o- Fig. 1 1s a vertical SGCtlOIlLlVlBW through v spider is preferably composed of malleable 'iron or 'steel'and will permit these sizing and straightening operations without injury unless, by{ chance, the casting containsjser ous. flaws which willnmake themselves evidentin this sizing and straightening operation, The present die mechanism comprises rastationary die block or follower 14,011

. ing operations. w

' is constructed in'theformof a'raised pedestal having a lower flange 16'Wl110l1' can other stationary support.

which is placed the wheel spider, and a movablesizing diel5rwhichis adapted to move down over the "circumference of the spider and subject it tothese sizing and straighten'- The stationary'die block 1 1- be bolted to the bed of'the press orlto any Secured. to the top of this stationary; die block by screws 17 is a removable plate 18-having a circumfer I i 18. This plate is hardened to'withstand the ,thesplder;

ential groovel9 formed in its upper face for receiving the lateral edges :of the pads9. This'construction permits the under side of the spider hub-to restupon this top plate compression pressure exerted on'th'e hub of The spider isiheldagainst any rotative or r lateral: "displacement .;of this stationary die surface 18'by a plurality of spacingblocksQl,

which are secured to the top of the plate 13 7 by. screws 22. These blocks arearrange'd in pairs,igroupedto dispose'one pair of'blocks V "betweenadj'acent spokes of the spider, as

y'j otherlplatesfor. receiving spiders of ent. diameters, or .having diiferent' widths of Pads-9.12 r

clearly shown in .Figi'3. The height'of these blocks correspondsflexactly to the desired 7 thickness of thehub portion of the casting solithatthis'hub'portion will be compressed I just to this thickness as determinedby these spacin'glblocks. 7 These spacing blocks can be readily substituted or rearranged onthe plat'e18 for receiving.differentltypes of spiders having different thicknesses. Similarsthe'die plate 18.:may be; substituted by 1 The femaleor ring die 15 comprises a ram or plunger; 24: of a hydraulicpress of any suitable description Thisram is, reciproi cated vertically bythis hydraulic press and ispprovided at its lower end with female si zing die adaptedito press down over the outermrcumference-of the spider 6 insizin ga nd .straighteningthespider. A flange 25. isrigidly secured to; the lower end'of-the ram, and ,acircular plate 'QGeXtendsj across thebottom ofjthe ram,-both being'rigidly secured. to the ram in'anysuitable manner.

. A heavy die ring 27 is secured to. the under side ofthe plate 26," as'iby releasable screws or boltsj,j(no't shown) g the inner surface of this ring27beingformed with an upwardly con-verging annular againstthis-tape red surface area plurality of jaws or die. segments 29,there being one differs taper" 28. 1 Bearing 7 of these die segments for each spoke of the spider and each of the segments being so po-- sitioned in the outer die ring 27 that-it will engage its respective pad 9. substantially intermediate the ends of the segment. The lateral edges of these diel segments are spaced slightly from each other, as indicated at 31in Fig. 2, this spacing permitting of the relative converging and diverging movement occurring between "these die segments, as will hereinafterappear.

The inner surfaces of these die segments 1' are formed at their lower ends with 'aplurality ofgrooves or corru'gations 32 which function as sizingor burnishing surfaces for engagement with the pads "at theendsof the wheel spokes. These sizing or burnishing surfaces lie on a slight taperwith the larger diameter 'at the bottoms of the segments, so that these surfaces will perform their sizing and burnishing operations on'the pads with a gradually progressive motion across the entire width or depth. of each padperiphery;

The cylindrical upper. surfaces 33 above these 1 corrugations represent the finished shape and diameter of the. pads 9. The die segments 29 are yielda-bly supported in en-j gagement with the tapered surface 28 by a' spring suspendedsupporting ring 34. f This supporting or retaining ring isformed with edge, which flangeengages in the'matching grooves 36 formed in the lower surfaces of thedie segments 29. Bolts or ins 7 1 V through holes in the outer edge of the supporting plate 34 and pass. up freely through holes 38 in the die ring 271 The upper ends of these bolts repose in--large openings 39 formed in the cross plate 26, these ends of I the bolts havingcompression springs 417confined thereon tending to raise the supporting' plate and die segments upwardly. Any suitable adjustment shoulder 427may be pro-j vided on these bolts, such as a washer and a nut threading over the end-of each bolt for adjusting the pressure of the spring .41. The upward movement ofthe die segments 29 .is

limited lay-engagement of their 'upper'surfaces with an abutment surfacetl formed on the under side of the mounting plate 26,

knock-out-or stripping memberd'fifor eject ing the spider from this sizingdie. V This 1 knock-out member comprises a circular plate having a circumferential recess 46 formed inits under side for accommodating the upper sides of the pads 9, similarly to the manner in which the recess 19 accommodates the opposite edges ofthese pads.= This plate .is removably mounted onv an'u'pper 95 i an upwardly turned flange35 at its inner plate 47 by the screw 48, whereby it can be substituted by other plates having different dimensions. This knock out platef l5 I is hardened as it must bear. the compression pressures whichare imposed on the hub 7 of the spider. .The upper plate 47 is suspended ontwo or more pins 4C9 which pass v up" freely throughfh'oles in the mounting plate 26 andfiange :25. The upper ends of these pins V have heads '51, against the under sides Of Wl11Cl1 b'ear compression spring-s52, The" lower ends of these compression springsbear against any suitable abutment surface, such as a collar resting on the flange and having holes therein; through .which the pins 49 can pass. A

stationary web or plate 5e surrounds the ram 24: above the 'die lnechanis'mpbeing positioned at a predeterminedheight relative to the die mechanism so that itwill be enga'ged by the heads elonthe pinslfiwhen "a" circular recess 55 formed therein for receiving the upper partoi fthis knock-outelee I ment during this downward movement of In the operation ot the die mechanism, the spider ismerely droppe dhdown over the spacing bloc ks 2l these spacing blocks approximately centeringthe spider on the'stationaryrlie block' 1%.: Thereupon, the hydraulic press is" broughtlnto"operatlon' to force the upper 1 sizing die down over the of these die sections-engage the spider. Normally, thedie sections 29' are held at the upper limits or tiieirimovement, which is determined by the engagement of their upper ends with theabutment surface 4a. In this position of theidie' sections they define a die opening of the'desired dlameter for sizing the spider. As the'corrugations pads 9 they progressively size and burnish the outer i andat the bottom ftheistroke of this ring die thespider' will be disposed 1n the plane surfaces of these pads, bringing the latter to the proper curvature'and circumference.

Asfl the spider moves into this ring die, it vpushes the knock-out plate ahead of 1t,

of the cylindrical die surfaces 38, andthe plate l'? of the knock-out member wlll be contacting with'the top Evall ofthe recess At, this point the pressure exerted through the ram 24. will be transmitted through the platesdTan'd to the upper ,isideof the spiderhub'Y. This pressure VVlll compress the hub down to the thicknessdefined by the 'spacing blocks 21. I I The hydraulic press is now operated to elevatethe ram24c. 'The spider Wlll have a more or less binding engagement, in the ring die and would tend to remain therein except for the provision of the-'knoclr-out. plate l5, During this initlal upward mo'vement the knock-out plate is of course in its upper position with its upper surface emgaging or substantially engaging the top of the recess 55. 'l-lence, the heads 51' on-the pins l9'are elevated considerably above the top of the die.

and thereafter the continued upward move- .ment of the ring die results in the knock-out plate 4.5 forcing the spider downwardly in the die segments; This downward '111OV6- ment, imparted to the spider by" the knockout plate, operates to press the die "sections '29 downwardly against the resiliency of the springs 41, and as these die sections move downwardly along the tapered surface 28, they diverge or separate, so thattheir grip- Therefore, these heads. 51 engage the stat1onary abutment sur'face'S "lathe early part of this ra1s1ng movement ping'engagement with the spider is released "very quickly afterthe spider-is started downwardly by. the knock-out plate 4:5. As

soon as the spiderfalls clear of the 'die sec tions they are immediately returned to their raised positions in contact with theabutment shoulder 44:, in position for another sizing operation on the next spider.

It will be observed that when the die see- I tions engage the pads 9 and begin to sizeand burnish the outer surfaces thereof, they will exert downward stress or pressure on the outer ends of the spokes which will test'the strength of the spokes to withstand lateral pressures. Simultaneously, therewitlnfthese die sections will exert a rad1al.squeez1ng pressure on the ends of these SPOkGS Wl'llCll radial pressures will be transmitted through the spokes and through the "hub andwill test'the ability of the casting to withstand M these radial pressures. As previously described, at the termination ofthe s1z1ng.op eratlon, the full pressure of the hydrauhc sides of the hub into exact parallelism and will reduce this hubY-to a predetermined thickness, as well as test its ability tort/1th-- stand certain compression pressures.

The female ring die 15 is capable'of ready adjustm nt foruadjusting the eflective-sizing 1 diameterof the die, for receivingspiders of slightly different diameters, or for ,tak1ng-- up wear. occurringinthe die surfaces. This ad'ustmentisrffectedb chan in the's oacingbetween the die ring 27 and supporting plate 26', winch-1n effect, shifts the tapered surface 28 upwardly or downwardly. ,For

example, by interposing shims of proper at 56, the die ring 27. andtapered surface 28 thickness bet-Ween the mounting plate 26 and i die ring 27, at the line of juncture indicated press is exerted through the plates 47 and 45' on the upper side ofthe hub portion 7, and this pressure will press. the opposite canbe lowered to'any desired degree relative u I to the abutment'surface 44 so that the die sections vvill converge to a' smaller diameter abutment surface 44.

in Emovingfirp into engagement with the While Ihave described my invention in a particular adaptation for sizing, straightening and testing Wheelspiders of a particular form, nevertheless I wish it to be understood that thisdie mechanism may be adapted for operating upon other forms of Wheel spiders, and in some -01": the appended claims I have defined the invention in 'terms of a structure for operating upon any form of generally circular blank.-

v Having thus described my: invention, What 7 'I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent ofthe United States, is:

for finishing Wheel a male die adapted to a female die comprising 1. An' apparatus spiders comprising support the spider,

a plurality of die sections, said dies having relative axial movement for causing relat ve axial movement between sald die sections and; the circumference -.of said spider, and

- means I releasably supporting said die sections to permit their disengagement from said spider. f a a 2. An apparatus for finishing Wheel spiders,comprising male and female dies having relative axlal movement, said male die being adapted to. support the spider, said female die comprising a plurality of relatively movable die sections and knock out means for ejecting the spider from between said ,die sections.

An apparatus for finishing Wheel spidment between the spider and the die surfaces ers 'comprising male and female dies having relative: axial, movement and adapted by such movementto cause relative axial moveof said-female die,;said female die comprising a plurality of die sections, and means normallyholding said'sections substantially to the predetermined sizing diameter for the spider, said means yieldably supporting said die sections for relative movement to'permit their disengagement from said spider.

- t An apparatus for finishing Wheel spiders,'comprising'male and female dies having relative axial movement and operating to force the spider axially Within said female die, said vfemale die comprising a plurality spider therefrom.

of die sections, means yieldably supporting "said die sections-for relativemovement to release said splder, and knock-out means cooperating Withsaiddie sectionsto eject the 5. An apparatus for finishing Wheel spiders, comprising a stationary die block for supporting the spiderya ring die into which saidspider is forced under pressure by rela tive axial movement between said die block and said ring die, said ring die comprising I a plurality-of relatively movable die sections contact therewith. v

9. An apparatus for finishing, heel spiadapted tolr iove transversely across theperiphery of said spider in contact therewith, V

andreleasing means permitting said die sections to diverge to a releasing \diameterfor releasing said spider.

6. An apparatus for finishing ivheel 'spiders, comprising a stationary diebloclr adapted to supportthe spider, a ring die adapted to be moved axiallyfover the circumference of said spider, said ring die comprisinga' plurality of die sections, releasing 'means supporting said diesectlons for relative d1'-, j

verging movement, and a knock-out member operating Within the die openmg of said ring die for egectlng the splder therefrom.

4. An apparatus for shaping Wheelspiders, comprising a stationary 7 die block, adapted to supportthe spiderfa sizlngdler adapted to move axially over said spider, said sizing die comprising a plurahty ofdie said sections, spring means cooperating with said supporting ring for normally holding said die sectlons 1n operatmg position,

die opening for ejecting the 'spider from said d e sectlons.

I 8. Anapparatus for finishing Wheel spi- B59 SQClKOIIS a supporting ring for; supporting" and a V a knock-out member operating Within the-' ders, comprising male and female dies adapted. to have relative axial movement for forcing the Wheel spider withinfsaid female die, said female diecomprising a. ring hav ing a tapered surface, andsa plurality of die segments havlng converging and divergingmovement on said tapered surface, said die segments being adapted to move transversely,

ioo

across the {circumference of said spiderlin' -ders, comprising male and female dies,

adapted by their operative movement to cause relative axial movement .betvveen the Wheel spider and said female die, said fe-r 'male die comprising. a'ring having an internal tapered surface, av plurallty vof die" segments bearing against said tapered surface, yieldable supporting means for said segments normally moving said segments to a a sizing diameter, and means for exerting: QjQC'ClIlg pressure on sa d spider, said ejectmg pressure causing said die. segments to move outwardly along said tapered surface it for separating'said die segments from said spider. V v a V I 10. An apparatus for finishing Wheel spiders comprising a stationary die block, adapted'to support the wheel spider, a sizting die adapted to move over said spider, j

outer ends of each said die segments,

releasing means cooperating With .said

supporting member for 'norma'lly urging said die segments inwardly along said first tapered surface into engagement with an abutment surface 'insaid' sizing die, a knock-out plate disposed .within the die opening, a pin extending from said knockout plate, spring neans yieldably supporting said knock-out plate and an abutment surface adapted to be engaged by said pin for actuating said knockout plate. l

'11. An apparatus-for finishing wheel spiders comprising a supporting block adapted to have the Wheel spider mounted thereon,

a sizing die adaptedto move axially across the'entire width of the circumference of sa d spider in sliding contacttherewith for s1zing the same, and means carried by said sizing die for axially compressing-the hub of the spider against said supporting block.

12. An apparatus for finishing wheel spiders comprising a supporting block adapted to have the wheel spider mounted thereon, a sizing die adapted to move axially across the circumference of said spider for sizing same, means carried by. said sizing die axially compressing the hub of the sp1- against said supporting block,and spacineans-on said supporting block for limthe for der ing iting the compression of said hub. I

13. An apparatus for'finishing wheel sp1-' ders comprising a supporting block adapted to have the wheel spider mounted thereon,

a sizing die adapted to move axially over the circumference of said spider forsizing the same, means carrie'dby sald slzing'die for laterally compressing the hub of the spider against said supporting block, and spacing blocks projecting from said supporting block between the spiokesofthe spider for limiting the lateral compression of said hub. i 14. An apparatus for finishing wheel spiders comprising a stationary supporting block adapted to have "the Wheel spider mounted thereon, a female sizing die adapted to move axially overthe circumference of said spider for sizing the same, means carried by said sizing die for laterally compressing the hub of the spider against said supporting block, and a plurality of spacing,

blocks releasably supported on'the top of said stationary supporting block and adaptl ed to project upwardly between the spokes of the spider for limiting lateralcompression of said hub. I Y 7 15. An apparatus for finishing wheel spiders comprising'male and female dies having relative axial movement and adapted by such movement to force the spider within said female die, the spider receiving end of said female die being tapered and having annular corrugations formed in said tapered surface. p

I 16. An apparatus forrfinishing wheel spiders comprising a stationary die block plate mounted on said supporting plate and havinga tapered internal surface, a plurality adapted to support the wheel spider, a mov-. able die head comprising a supporting having an abutment surface, a die ring of die segments bearing-against the said tapered surface and adapted to engage said abutment surface',=said: die segments being moved downover the outer circumference of said wheel spider for sizing the; same, and

'75 means;.releasably securing sa ddie rlng to said supporting plate, and permittingva riablespacing between said ring and supporting plate to ad ust the limlt of convergmg movement between said die segments.

. 17. In combination, a movable female die adapted to operate upon a generally circular ObJQClZ tL stationary male die adaptedto sup port said object in stationary position while said female die is moving over the same, and knock-out means moving with said female of the blank from saiddie.

19. In combination, means for supporting a generally cirp 1 blank, 3. ring die comprising a plurality sections, means, for forcing said die sections of radially movable die transversely across the entire width of the peripheral surface of-said blank while1maintairiing said sections. in ii therewith for sizing said blank and friction ally burnishing the periphery pressure ycontact thereof,

means yieldably supporting said die sections to permit ejection of blank from between saidfdie sections. a

I 20. An apparatus. for finishing wheel spiders comprising a follower adapted to support the spider, a female die comprising a tapered ring and aplura'lityof die sections adapted to move inwardly and outwardlyf along the tapered surface of said ring and" radially relatively to eacl1 other, the inner surfaces of said die sections having burnishing projections thereon, means for. causin relative axial. movement, between said fe-. male die and said follower, andmeans for normally holdlng said (he sections substantially at the inner limit of their movementv along the tapered surface of said ring during the axial movement of said female die toward the spider, whereby said burnishing pro ections are caused to move transversely across the entire width of the peripheral stir-I face of thespider 1n pressure contact therethe blank from said die, and .nreans for forcibly ejecting "the with for sizing the spider and frictionally burnishing the peripheral surface thereof, "said lattermeans permittingradial separation of said die sections to permit theirdisjenga ement from the: spider in the axial and the follower.

' same,

- l 25 i i the comprising a ring die and a plurality of spiders,

separating movement between the female die QLAn; apparatus for finishing wheel spiders comprising means for supporting the spideri a femal dieadapted to; move over the periphery of the spider for sizing the said female the comprising main supporting member and a plurality of die sections, a supporting ring on which said between said segments and the spider in, a direction transversely across the c1rc1nnference of thespider, and means for adjustahly limiting-the extent of sliding movement of said diesegments along salcl tapered-surface v whereby to adjustsaidapparatus todifier 7 e111; sizing diameters.

FREDERICK w; BURGER. i I

vdie sections are mounted and on which they are movable radially relatively to each other, i

' and spring means yieldably connecting said supporting ring with said'mainsupporting die segments movable radially'thereof, and I to the follower.

i axially therewith relatively finishing wheel 28. An apparatus for spiders, comprising a follower being-adapted to have relative axial movement for forcingther spider under pressure axially into 7 comprisinga ring die and; a plurality of die adapted to' support the spider, a female die, said parts the female die,'said female die segments movablefradially thereof; and axially therewithrelat ivelyto the follower, and jmeans for positively e ect1ng' the finished j spider from the female 7 die uponreverse movement of said parts.

'' 24; An apparatus for finishing whe el qspiders comprising a female die having a plurality 7 0i adapted to move radially relatively to each other, a follower cooperating with said femaledie, HlQfilllSfOl causing relative axial movement 'between'saidfemale die and said follower to cause relative shearing move-v ment hetween said die"sections and the spider, in a, direction transversely across the circumference of said spider, and means permitting radial separation of said die sections to permit their disengagement from said spider.- r '1 v i 25.1 m, apparatus for finishing wheel spiders comprising a die ring having a tacircularly arranged die sections pered internal surface, a plurality of circu V larlyarranged die segments bearing against such tapered surface and adaptcd to be moved therealong for relative converging and separating movement of said die seg-' ments, a follower cooperating with saiddie segments, means for producing relative axial movement between said follower and said die segments for'causing relative movement 

